Heaven

by Paula Gooder

“Heaven is one of those great mysteries that somehow symbolize what we don't know about ourselves and the world around us. At the same time it lifts our vision from the mundane realities of our everyday lives and reminds us that beyond the daily grind of our existence there is another, unseen reality. A reality that is as real—if not more so—than our everyday lives. Heaven suggests an answer to the familiar human feeling that there must be more than this, and prompts us to wonder whether there is indeed more in heaven and earth than can be dreamt of in all our philosophies.”-Paula Gooder, from the Introduction“As Paula Gooder puts it, this book tackles all the 'weird stuff' the church tends to shy away from. We are in the realm here not of fluffy clouds and harps but of God's presence, angelic beings and mystical visions. Heaven, we discover, is not just about the afterlife but the here and now—about how we live with each other, the planet, and God. This is indeed the essential 'rough guide' to heaven, and much more.”-Steve Hollinghurst, author of Mission-Shaped Evangelism“In this profound, lucid and compassionate book, Paula Gooder demonstrates that heaven is not a vague future hope but the presence of the God who made heaven and earth. This means that believing in heaven involves us in God's passionate commitment to earth. A concept of heaven that is only about the fate of the pious individual after death is a meager diet compared with the feast that this book lays before heaven and earth renewed, restored, and reconnected.”-Jane Williams, author of Lectionary Reflections“Paula Gooder has an extraordinary ability to offer top-class biblical scholarship in an accessible form. She makes a complex topic interesting and surprisingly relevant.”-Christopher Rowland, author of Christian OriginsPaula Gooder is a freelance writer and lecturer in Biblical Studies. She is Canon Theologian of Birmingham and Guildford Cathedrals, Lay Canon at Salisbury Cathedral, Visiting lecturer at King's College, London, Associate lecturer at St Mellitus College, London, and Theological Adviser to the Bible Society. She has authored numerous books including Journey with Bringing the Gospel Alive for Groups and Individuals (with Mark Pryce and James Woodward), This Risen The Spirit of Easter, and A Way Through the God’s Help in a Time of Crisis.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[Robb Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gooder sets her sights on heaven as a concept and explores it from various angles. She explores popular beliefs as presented in the media and as they are shared in winder society. A thorough investigation of the biblical source material paints a picture of the developing world view in the Judeo-Christian traditions. Having read NT Wright's Surprised By Hope, this is an ideal companion as Gooder deals with the material in a similar manner and expands upon some of his material. The concluding chapter is a good antidote to "pie in the sky when you die" calling for a transformation of the here and now. Highly recommended.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good review of a subject that is all too often sensational and highly speculative. Paula Gooder in this brief book takes you through the a variety of themes connected with eschatology and the heavenly court, always backed up with serious Biblical scholarship. Much of this will be found in N.T. Wright's copious writings, though unlike Wright, Gooder is better at presenting specialist theology to the non-specialist reader without sounding patronising or uncomfortable.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book examines what heaven is, and Paula Gooder applies her considerable scholarship to understanding the biblical idea of heaven. She draws on biblical, deutero-canonical books and the rabbinic literature in her survey of the subject, concluding with an examination of what an understanding of heaven means for Christians in the here-and-now. As usual with Paula Gooder, it is written in an easy-to-read style, bringing great scholarship into the everyday world. A must-read for any Christian who thinks we will spend eternity in a disembodied heavenly existence.

[Nina Tweddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I would find this book hard to get into so I chose it for a long train journey and managed to get halfway through before I arrived at my destination. It was then easier to pick up and read the remainder.

I have read lots of reviews that say this was an easy read. For me, it felt deep and complex. Paula gives lots of Hebrew and Greek words and explanations of the difference between them, and how it is often tricky to find a word in English that adequately explains what the author intended. This was interesting and helpful but required a lot of effort from me to follow Paula's thoughts in some places. To be fair, there are lots of explanatory notes at the back of the book to aid understanding.

So, I'm pleased I read this book. Not sure how much more I understand about the idea of heaven, but it has encouraged me to think more on the subject.

[Jonathan Burdett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute cracker of a little book. Clear and concise, this short book sets out what the Bible says (and doesn't say) about heaven. I love the way Paula is happy to accept where the Biblical narrative is partial or ambiguous and she briefly summarises a range of views. Fascinating stuff.

[Christopher Trend · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book surveying how our ideas of Heaven came to be and how they fit in with Biblical, Apocryphal & traditional ideas.
There is little on life after death but a reminder that the new Earth is our home.
It is a very well written and accessible book.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study. Even goes into development of traditions surrounding hell and afterlife.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great discussion of what the Bible says about heaven

[Maria Longley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated being presented in this book with a framework within to hang my thoughts. My thinking on this topic is terribly vague so I enjoyed the theological look, and biblical scholarship, Paula Gooder brings to the subject. It's not a heavy book (e.g. mentioning that there are several scholarly strands of thought of various problems posed by the texts without necessarily needing to go into all of them with detail) and it's well written and gave me lots to think about.

[Sean Adair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this readable and accessible theological analysis of something we all think we know about and yet few of us ever take the time to truly explore in terms of biblical background. There is much here to challenge and to comfort, but be prepared for some surprises and uncomfortable shifting of paradigms along the way. Once again Paula Gooder demonstrates why she is one of the most respected contemporary British theologians and Biblicl Scholars.

[Jill Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick yet scholarly read, which dispels a lot of wrong assumptions which many people (including some Christians!) have about the Bible's teachings on heaven. My only criticism: the author tends to throw up lots of possible interpretations of key verses but rarely settles on any particular one. Perhaps that's a strength, though personally there are limits to the amount of uncertainty I want to live with.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mostly scholarly look at how the Christian religion views heaven. The author uses the bible as well as theological reference to examine heaven, and where God and Jesus fit in. And us, as well!

[Eric Gilchrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to all matter of things related to heaven. Written by a biblical scholar who is capable of writing in lucid prose with theological acumen.